DBSD OFFERS A VIBRANT AND GROWTH FOCUSED COMPETITION PROGRAM with values of KINDNESS, ARTISTRY, TEAMWORK, COMMUNITY, AND EDUCATION. OUR TEAM OF PASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS WORK WITH OUR DANCERS TO SET AND ACHIEVE THEIR DANCE GOALS.
READING AND AGREEING TO ALL OUTLINED VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS IN OUR COMPETITIVE PROGRAM HANDBOOK IS REQUIRED FOR ALL DANCERS ACCEPTED INTO OUR COMPETITION PROGRAM.
Competitive class placements and offers have been selected for 2026/2027 and are in the process of being sent.
If we have assessed that your child is not yet ready for competition we have contacted you separately via email. This decision is made with many factors in mind and we know you trust us to make these decisions. We are always open to further discussion about how to reach your goals and always have the dancers’ best interest and their growth in mind.
If you have not heard from us either way by mid August, but you were at auditions, please contact us directly.
Competition class placements and offer are made with the dancers’ best interest and growth in mind. We want all dancers to reach their potential and use our expertise and knowledge to help guide them.
Competitive team auditions for 2027/28 will be held in JUNE 2027 (Schedule TBA).
Late assessment for 2026/2027 will be considered on an individual basis. Email dbsdoffice@gmail.com to inquire.
Conventions will be offered/charged separately from competition. Email dbsdoffice@gmail.com to register for our main convention of 2026 (FORM, October 24th/25th 2026) and/or inquire about other opportunities.
In recognition of hard work, excellence, teamwork, spirit, and dedication, all competition stream dancers are eligible for scholarships and special awards at the end of the season. These are given at our wrap up party potluck where we all celebrate as a team! Information is sent out prior to the event.
With the privilege of being a part of our DBSD Competition Team comes expectations.
Kindness, Respect, Empathy, Team Spirit, Teamwork
Work Ethic/Individual Practice/Organization
Effective Communication in terms of rehearsals/absences
Attendance
If any issue arises in terms of these values with the dancer we will first speak to them and then with the family to find a solution.
AT DBSD WE DO NOT BELIEVE WE ARE “AGAINST” ANYONE AT COMPETITION, RATHER COMPETING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM AND WORK TO UPLIFT ALL DANCERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS A COMPETITIVE DANCER YOU WILL LEARN, GROW, WORK AS A TEAM, AND GET TO GAIN EXPERIENCE AS A PERFORMER WITH FEEDBACK FROM PROFESSIONAL JUDGING PANELS. BE INSPIRED BY ONE ANOTHER, ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER, ENJOY THE PROCESS.
Competition FAQ
WHICH CLASSES AT DBSD ARE COMPETITIVE?
All Company classes, hip hop teams labelled “Allegion” and Performance Teams all compete in our three full team comps. Other classes may be considered for competition on an individual basis. We will reach out if we would like to talk about that opportunity.
ARE THERE CLASS REQUIREMENTS TO BE IN COMPETITION?
All Competition Team dancers must be enrolled in at least one Ballet class, and one Jazz Technique class. Tap and Hip Hop only dancers are exempt from ballet, Jazz technique requirements are on a per dancer basis.
Dancers may not only be on a Performance team. Performance teams must be accompanied by a class in the same discipline as well as technique and ballet. Any requests otherwise must be made directly to Ms Barb, and will be considered on an individual basis. Dancers competing in Ballet or en Pointe must be enrolled in TWO Ballet classes.
Any questions, or concerns, regarding requirements are welcomed!
Email dbsdoffice@gmail.com
WHAT FEES SHOULD I EXPECT?
For company classes you will pay regular tuition, a costume fee, competition entrance fees for each competition/event fees for the competitions that require this. Performance Teams and Jazz Line have additional team fees that are due each new year.
Entrance fees vary for each type of piece (solo, duo/trio, group). Event fees are individual to each competition.
We will take a deposit at the beginning of the season for competition, from there you will have a payment plan that is split into monthly chunks. If you need an individualized plan based on your financial needs don’t hesitate to reach out.
CHOREOGRAPHY FEES:
Extra competition pieces outside of class (Solo, Duo, Trio, Small Group) and Jazz Line have choreography fees that will be paid directly to the choreographer for their time/experience/planning/choreo/cleaning of the piece. Each choreographer will send out a letter from the choreographer prior to starting.
COSTUME FEES:
A costume deposit of $75.00 per costume will be collected in the fall if the competition class is having a costume made by Deb at Dance Plus. Costume prices for competition will start at approximately $100-$150 and increase based on the design. Extra competition pieces may also require a new costume, your choreographer will confirm this with you before ordering.
REHEARSALS:
The schedule for competition rehearsals for solos/duos/trios/smalls is created as a team to work best for the studios schedule, the dancers schedule, and the schedule of the choreographer. Please expect that you may be asked to rehearse as early at 4:00 pm. Note that if there is NO possible rehearsal time offered that works for you, we may have to cancel the piece. You will receive a certain number of rehearsals that should approximately reflect 6-8 hours of work. Note that after the piece is finished your choreographer may stop having weekly practices and move to bi-weekly, once a month, or combine rehearsals with other dancers.
PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS:
The dancers are expected to stay up to date with choreography and come back to each rehearsal knowing what was taught the week prior. We encourage taking videos to practice at home. Teachers will send the music to their dancers individually. If a dancer comes back to rehearsals frequently needing in depth review or re-choreographing, we will first speak with the dancer, then the family, then in serious cases a piece may be cancelled if a dancer can’t handle the workload.
Is there an opportunity to practice before competition?
YES, we hold a dress rehearsal in studio prior to the first competition. As soon as we choose our dress rehearsal dates you will receive an email with all information. The Dates & Events page will be updated with all the times and details. It is mandatory that students attend this full dress-rehearsal. Dancers should arrive at their call time in full hair, costume and shoes, ready to perform.
When can we expect to receive the competition schedules?
Generally 2-3 weeks before the start of the competition
We strive to provide the schedule as soon as possible. Our Dates & Events page is updated with all the times and details as soon as we receive the finalized timetables. Typically sessions run between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM, during the week and/or on weekends. There is a high possibility your child will be asked to dance anytime within this window on a weekday, Saturday, Sunday or a long weekend Friday or Monday.
How many times will the dancers perform their pieces at competition?
The dancers will perform each of their pieces once. Some competitions have a finals at the end that dancers may get to perform in again, in this case we will let families know when the dancers should be back as soon as we receive the finals schedule. The finals schedule won’t be known until near the end of competition.
*After you perform find your teacher FIRST before doing anything else. Parents, if your child comes to you first after performing please ask if they have checked in with their teacher.
When should we arrive at the venue?
There is much to do prior to the dancers taking the stage, such as a warm-up, costume check and one last chance for a routine run-through. Students must arrive in full makeup, costume and shoes using the following lead times:
Solos, Duos & Trios: 1.5 hours before the session start-time
Small groups and up: 2 hours before the session start-time
*If a dancer has multiple dances in a day, or a choreographer has multiple pieces in a session, some choreographers may try to warm up and rehearse multiple pieces at once. Dancers must find their choreographer or DBSD faculty upon arrival to know the plan. Some dancers may have quick changes for pieces, we know this ahead of time and try to make sure they get the rehearsal time needed for everything.
What do families do during warm up/rehearsal time?
Once a dancer is connected with us at comp and knows where to go, we ask that families give the dancer space with their choreographer and/or teacher to prepare for stage. You are free to go and come back, hang out in the audience, hang out in the lobby, etc! Once a dancer is done on stage please come and find us after the dancer has checked in with their teacher! If you’re staying for awards and the dancer doesn’t have another piece, dancers can stay with you during the interim. We try to take group photos after each awards session.
Teachers and fellow DBSD dancers can help with things like hair changes, makeup changes etc. If you need to help with something specific, please check in with the teacher so we know where your dancer is. We try to keep the change room space for teachers and dancers but understand if you need to come back and help!
*We encourage dancers age 10 and up to start being able to do their own hair and makeup. Practice makes progress!
What should we bring with us?
In addition to costumes, shoes and any props - a dancer's toolkit should also contain extra tights; makeup (extra lipstick for touch ups and lipstick in different shades if applicable); hairspray; comb/brush; extra bobby-pins; hair net if you are wearing a bun; safety pins; a needle and thread; screwdriver for tightening tap shoes; diamond (cubic zirconia) earrings and always triple-check everything before leaving the house.
*Dancers should have a device with their music and headphones for solo practice
How do judging/awards sessions work?
There is an awards session that concludes each session of the competition. Please note the time of your awards session on your schedule. The dancers will come back at this time and go up on the stage with all of the dancers who performed in the session and sit down together. If a dancer gets called up for a special award they will stand up and walk up to the judge to listen to their comments and thank them for the award. Then, each dancer will get called up to get their ribbon, medal, etc. After awards please find your teacher before doing anything else! Dancers are encouraged to either wear their costume or DBSD competition jacket or DBSD merch during awards.
*Sometimes dancers need to be ready for a piece that is soon after awards, in this case they may need to change into their next costume before the awards session.
After the competition, teachers will have access to the video judging website. They will find time in studio to go over the judges comments with the dancer and their own comments before the next competition.
PLEASE WATCH FOR OUR COMPETITION EMAILS PRIOR TO COMP WHICH ALSO COVER CLASS CANCELLATIONS DURING COMPETITIONS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF COMPETITION IS TO LEARN, SHINE BRIGHT ON STAGE, AND HAVE FUN!